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Some independent research conducted on the Coffs Coast recently provided some positive re-inforcement to the local marketing body that their initiatives are working. With a relatively small budget to work with in comparison to some of Australia’s big gun destinations Coffs Coast Marketing has helped cement the region in the minds of many. And, while Coffs Coast Marketing’s Rob Cleary says there is still plenty of work to be done, the signs are there that the destination will continue to not only increase its profile but attract a greater share of conference and events business year on year.

“Business is growing and the feedback is that conferencing business is becoming more and more important as one of the business sectors, especially over the non-school holiday period where we still have great weather, easy access and competitive pricing,” Mr Cleary says.
Helping in this regard is most definitely air access to Coffs Harbour. At the present time, for example, the Coffs Coast has eight daily services from Sydney. With this growth has seen the creation of a more sophisticated product and greater offering in terms of things to see, do and taste. To anyone who has been there in recent times the Coffs Coast is much more than home to the touristy Big Banana. It has aged like fine wine since becoming a coastal hot spot for families in the 1970s and 80s, and today offers a wide mix of accommodation, conference facilities, and activities “beyond the ballroom”. A typical three or four day stay in the Coffs Coast of today is a challenge because of the sheer number of things to see and do. Fish and chip shops have given way to more up-market eateries and there is now an abundance of alfresco restaurants on Harbour Drive, aptly titled “the jetty strip”, while in more out-of-the-way places there are true culinary gems. Saltwater on the Beach, about five minutes north of the majority of resort accommodation, in a sleepy little hamlet called Emerald Beach, is one of these where, on any night of the week, there is a mix of locals and tourists sitting down and sampling the latest culinary masterpiece.

Back to stay

There is a large number of 20 and 30-something residents who grew up in the area, left to pursue career and study, and have now returned to “settle down”. They have tasted life in big cities, grown tired of traffic jams and pollution, and remembered their free-and-easy formative years fondly. Bringing with them a little bit of their city experience, it can only be good news for the local community and the business events industry as a whole.

Bonville International Golf Resort

Voted “the most beautiful golf course in Australia” in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Golf Course Guide, Bonville is exactly that. It has been a golf lover’s paradise for more than 10 years now, and continues to be so because of the management’s commitment to maintaining the course’s year-round pristine condition. Many corporate groups choose to hold meetings in the Coffs Coast region simply so they can play a round of golf (or two) at Bonville. And today the property is becoming increasingly recognised as a venue for special events. It has 30 resort-style suites – for those who never want to leave during their stay – and meeting facilities for up to 200, with spectacular views overlooking the 18th green and fairways. The property is also home to the award-winning Flooded Gums Restaurant, which has a new chef in charge, and does spectacular off-site catering around the golf course. General manager Brad Daymond says Bonville is increasingly becoming recognised for its quality cuisine and outside the box thinking in relation to special events. Telephone (02) 6653 4002 or visit www.bonvillegolf.com.au for further details.

Coffs Ex-Services Club

If you need big meeting space, or require event space on a budget then it is hard to go past the Coffs Ex-Services Club, centrally located in the heart of Coffs Harbour and just three kilometres from the airport. The club offers seven rooms for meetings and events, ranging from the boardroom, which comfortably seats 15, to the grand auditorium which can seat 1000 theatre-style. The Rainbow Room is popular with medium sized groups. It offers natural lighting, amenities, is fully carpeted, and can seat up to 250 for meetings. The beauty about this venue is that it also has a pre-function lobby area well suited to pre-dinner drinks or as a delegate registration area. As well as the opportunity for full catering in function rooms the club is also home to The Brasserie, which offers tasty and affordable meals for groups. For details telephone Karen Curnow on (02) 6652 3888, email karenc@cex.com.au or visit www.cex.com.au

The Sebel Aqualuna Beach Resort

Located within the so-called “resort belt”, about five kilometres north of the Coffs Harbour CBD, the Sebel Aqualuna Beach Resort is one of the newest resorts in the region. It offers 93 one, two and three bedroom villas with views of Sapphire Beach. The property offers one main conference room, which can accommodate up to 120 delegates theatre-style, and is divisible by three. Meeting facilities come with standard AV equipment. It has a nice swimming pool, a tennis court with an outdoor area adjacent to it which is popular for outdoor events, especially barbecues, and a stylish restaurant which has views over the resort and to the ocean. For details on this property contact Liz Terrens on (02) 6653 7500, email – Elizabeth_terrens@mirvac.com.au or visit www.mirvachotels.com.au.

Pelican Beach Resort Australis

The four-star Pelican Beach Resort Australis enjoys beachfront and is below the Pacific Highway just north of Coffs Harbour, ensuring a reduction in noise from passing traffic. The property offers 112 guest rooms which each have balconies or patios, and is home to the award-winning Shores Restaurant and Bar. There are eight meeting rooms in total, the largest of which can seat up to 250 theatre-style, and plenty of recreational options, including a huge free-form pool, tennis courts and of course water activities. With a strong food and beverage background general manager Peter Neville is placing strong emphasis on quality food offerings at the resort. For details telephone Peter Neville on (02) 6653 7000, email manager.pelicanbeach@australishotels.com or visit www.constellationhotels.com.

Opal Cove Resort

Again located in the “resort belt” Opal Cove Resort is further away from the Pacific Highway than most properties, surrounded by a nine hole golf course on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. With 135 rooms and 38 two and three self-contained villas it is one of the Coffs Coast’s biggest in terms of room numbers. Set on 36 hectares the property offers some superb meetings facilities, having undergone extensive refurbishment in recent times. The property can accommodate up to 550 delegates theatre-style, and numerous areas for off-site events. The foyer is huge and is often utilised as an exhibition area or setting for pre-event cocktails. For further details telephone Jasmine Durbidge on (02) 6651 0510, email sales@opalcove.com or visit www.opalcove.com.

BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort

Without doubt Aanuka Beach Resort has one of the most beautiful special event function rooms throughout the Coffs Coast region. Called the Breakers Room the wooden structure is nestled among mature trees and has a deck overlooking a large grassy expanse and Diggers Beach. A popular venue for weddings (a quaint chapel is located right next door), it is also popular for conference groups for gala events. The resort offers a diverse range of accommodation from studio hotel rooms to spa bures and two and three bedroom villas. Other features of this four-and-a-half star resort include outdoor rock pools with waterslides, a spa, gymnasium, tennis and volleyball courts, a massage and rejuvenation retreat, barbecue facilities, bars and restaurants. BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort specialises in small to medium sized conferences, and is less than five minutes from the centre of town. For further details contact Lisa Knowlson on (02) 6652 7555, email lisa@breakfree.com.au or visit www.aanuka.com.au.

Quality Resort Nautilus

Set on nine acres of beach frontage, and just seven kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, Quality Resort Nautilus has 75 low-rise accommodation villas in sizes ranging from king and deluxe rooms, studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The property is best suited to conference groups under 100 delegates who can fit comfortably into the Golden Cane Room or Coco’s Function Room which overlook the resort and the Pacific Ocean. For further details on this excellent property telephone Nikki Spence on (02) 6653 6699, email sales@qualityresortnautilus.com.au or visit www.qualityresortnautilus.com.au.

Surf rafting

White water rafting is available on the Coffs Coast but its availability is often dependent upon the river level. Surf rafting on the other hand is available all year round – rain, hail or shine. Take an inflatable boat, a few paddles, life jackets, helmets, some quick instruction from the people from Liquid Assets Adventure Tours and you’re off for the ride of your life. Liquid Assets specialises in group activities, with a large number of rafts and equipment available. This is an exhilarating option for non-meeting activities and is actually easier than it looks. After a few waves you and your team will be catching waves easily, and with enough exhilaration to shake off those conference cobwebs. Liquid Assets also offers sea kayaking which is a more relaxing way to get out on the water and explore some of the Coffs Coast’s quieter bays and inlets. For details contact Liquid Assets on (02) 6658 0850, email info@surfrafting.com or visit www.surfrafting.com.

Learn to surf

If you’ve always wanted to try surfing but were too afraid to do it on your own then why not do it as a group? The East Coast Surf School, run by Helene Enevoldson, offers beginner-friendly classes that can be completed in a morning or afternoon or as a week-long experience. All equipment, including soft Malibu surfboards are provided, and the lesson lasts for a couple of hours. Instruction begins on the beach but quickly progresses to the water, and before you know it you’ll be standing up on a board and screaming with sheer delight at your new-found skill. For details contact East Coast Surf School on (02) 6651 5515, email helenechick@hotmail.com or visit www.eastcoastsurfschool.com.au.

Extreme Team Training Centre

Extreme Team Training Centre, about 10 minutes from Coffs Harbour offers a variety of activities – from paintball skirmish to survival training, motivational talks from former soldier Scott Secombe, and team-building activities. Team-building programs can be tailor-made to suit any group, and have been designed to build confidence, team spirit, self reliance and motivation. Activities can be created for a few hours or a few days. Scott can even create activities at resorts throughout the region for those on a tight schedule. For details contact Scott Secombe on (02) 6653 8862 or 0438 586 488.

Wining and dining

In downtown Coffs Harbour there is a restaurant strip just a short walk to the water’s edge with plenty of first rate restaurants of various styles and sizes. Shearwater Restaurant, clearly one of the region’s most popular, is located on the promenade overlooking the Coffs Creek. The restaurant offers modern cuisine, with all menu items prepared on-site by the restaurant’s talented team of chefs. Another popular restaurant is Saltwater on the Beach, located about 10 minutes out of town at Emerald Beach. This stunning-looking property is matched by high quality food and fantastic ocean views in the daytime. For details on restaurants and dining options contact Coffs Coast Marketing on 1300 369 070 or visit www.coffscoast.com.au.